Statistics

In order to help needy veterans, we have to understand what troubles them.

These days, a lot of factors are contributing to their instability: high unemployment, unability to take a loan with bad credit, poor housing market, and untreated conditions related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.

Take a look at the following statistics. Think about them, and what contributes to them. Then take action.

Volunteer. Donate. Educate others so they too can understand how much help our nation’s veterans truly need.

 Suicide Among Veterans

• 120 veterans commit suicide every week. (17 a day)

• 1000 veterans attempt suicide in the VA each month.

• About 20 percent of the U.S. population commiting suicide is our Veterans.

• Veterans who fought in Iraq, Afghanistan and other terrorism-related conflicts were four times more likely to commit suicide (18 to 24 age group)

Homelessness Among Veterans

•  33 percent of our nation’s homeless population consists of veterans (about 200,000 veterans)

• 47 percent of homeless veterans are from the Vietnam era76 percent of homeless veterans suffer from alcohol, drug, or mental health problems

• 76 percent of homeless veterans suffer from alcohol, drug, or mental health problems

Incarceration Among Veterans

• An estimated 56,500 Vietnam War-era veterans and 18,500 Persian Gulf War veterans were held in state and federal prisons in 1998

• Veterans' state sentences averaged three years longer than other state prisoners

• Nearly 60 percent of incarcerated veterans had served in the Army

• Veteran inmates were more likely to be violent offenders

Brain Trauma Among Veterans

• Nearly one in five service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan (approximately 300,000) have PTSD symptoms or major depression

• 19 percent of post-Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were diagnosed with possible traumatic brain injury (TBI)

• A higher percentage of post-Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffered from PTSD than from any other previous war because of "stop loss" (an involuntary extension of service in the military), multiple tours, and greater prevalence of brain injuries